Prof. Sparsha Sahaoffice: VKC B42C

Prof. Sparsha SahaOffice: VKC B42C

EMAIL: hone: (559) 304 6733

Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, by appt.

IR 381: Introduction to International Security

Spring 2016

This course is an introduction to international security, which is the study of the causes of war, nuclear strategy, military doctrine, and conventional and unconventional strategies. The syllabus is very broadly organized into three parts: interstate war, intrastate war, and extrastate war (including terrorism, insurgency, and other unconventional forms like cyberwarfare and the effects of climate change). In this course, we will try to answer many questions. What are the explanations for the outbreak of war, in all its forms (interstate, intrastate, and extrastate)? Why do some wars last for a long time? What are the effects of diplomacy and strategy? How do wars end? What is the role of the international community and international law? What is the future of war? How is war changing today?

A goal of this course is to inform you about current events relating to international security. You are required to stay updated on what is going on in the world that relates broadly to the major themes of this course. We will start of every class by discussing currents events, analyzing the news in the context of what we have learned. This will give you practice synthesizing and internalizing important concepts and arguments by forcing you to make connections. If you cannot devote time to following the news, this course is not for you. However, this isn’t hard to do. If your news consumptions skills need brushing up, start with the following:

• Please go to bbc.com and click on “World” at the top of the site (on the homepage). Do this at least three times a week, ideally before class. I’ll stick to referencing news that has been posted and is being discussed Monday-Thursday.

If you simply do the above, you will fulfill this requirement for the course. We will spend some time during each class discussing the news, so it is critical that you are aware of what is going on—form some opinions, make connections to what we are studying, and be creative. It’s okay to be wrong or have some questions, but it’s wrong not to make an effort. Of course, for the more avid news consumer, there are plenty of other news sources. Come see me if you would like other suggestions—I have many!

I also reserve the right to send you short news articles (1 or 2 max) the day before class. These should not take more than 15-20 minutes to read, and I expect that you read them. I would like the course to stay current and relevant, which is why these articles can’t be planned out too far in advance. Since I know that staying informed on current events and reading last minute (short) news articles do take up time, the formal readings on the course syllabus reflect this (i.e., there are fewer required readings on here than there might be).

This is a lecture/discussion course with not only a significant amount of interaction between you and me, but also between you and your colleagues. Make sure you have completed all the readings before you come to class. When we all arrive on the same page, I can lead discussion in a much more effective, interesting way than if we are stuck reviewing information with which you should already be familiar. Reading quizzes may be administered, if needed.

In the beginning of the course, you will be organized into teams. You will be required to communicate and meet with your team outside of class, so please keep that in mind as you are organizing your schedule for the term. You will be taught to think analytically and politically about a wide range of issues that affect international security. If you are willing to put in the time and energy, I hope to make this one of the best learning experiences for you here at USC.

Grades will be determined on the basis of:

• Attendance and participation, 15%
• If you miss more than three classes, you fail this portion of your grade. The quality of your performance in class will also affect your attendance grade—your insights, opinions, and engagement count. Everyone will get one excused absence. After that, you will be allowed to make up a missed class up to 3 times (come see me). For a make-up, you must email me by the class immediately following the missed class. You will have a week to complete the make-up assignment. The attendance rules will be very strictly enforced. Your consistent participation is mandatory for this course.
• Midterm, 15%
• This tests your understanding and familiarity with the concepts and information presented in the course up until the midterm. Make sure you have done the reading and paid attention during lecture! The single most useful piece of advice I can give you: TAKE DETAILED NOTES DURING LECTURES.
• Final Exam, 25%
• This is not an exam that is meant to trick you or stump you. If you have taken good notes during lectures and completed the readings, you will do very well on the final exam.
• Final Project, 45%
• Presentation, 20%
• Paper, 20%
• Peer Grading, 5%
• Determined by taking the average of the scores you receive from your teammates for your involvement in the Final Project.

Final Project

The Final Project for this course will be the single biggest factor affecting your grade. It will involve extensive outside research, revision based on feedback, and hard work. Your team will make a decision on the topic of the final project by March 1 (come to class that day with a 1 page description of the project). The final version of the final paper will be due on May 1 (via email). The paper should be between 25-30 pages. Please have someone proofread your work, since that will affect your final grade.

An ungraded rough draft of your research paper is due on April 5 (via email). This rough draft needs to be at least 8-10 pages long. This is your chance for feedback, so make the most of the opportunity.

You need to conduct rigorous, independent, and substantial library research. While you are allowed to use articles assigned in this course, you must go well beyond them. Internet sources, even those from “reputable” sites, must be kept to a bare minimum (for example, Wikipedia). At least 75% of your citations must come from books, academic journals, news sources, memoirs, and primary sources (e.g., government documents, transcripts of NSC meetings, intra-governmental memoranda, letters between leaders, post-operation reports).

Please keep in mind that this is a group project, so expect to meet with your partner(s) outside of class. More instructions will be given that will help with the division of tasks and streamline the writing process.

Each group will also give a presentation toward the end of the semester (details TBA later). The quality of the presentation (including the power point slides, which are expected) and your response to any questions posed will be factored into your total grade. The time limitation (30 minutes) will be strictly, but reasonably, enforced. This presentation format is designed to provide each group with an opportunity to share their preliminary findings/theory with their colleagues and give them enough time before the due date to make the necessary corrections and revisions.

Late Papers

Late papers will be docked a half grade every day. In other words, a B- paper turned in a day late will receive a C+. In general, no extensions will be granted. Please email me if you believe you have a special circumstance.

Readings

All assigned readings will be available on the course website. Please note that the syllabus, including the readings, is subject to change.

Missed Classes

This course requires that you manage your time well, keep track of the assigned readings and, most importantly, attend every class session. Plan your schedule around the class meeting; avoidable conflicts such as doctor’s appointments or job interviews are not excused absences. Students who miss class due to a minor illness such as a cold may be asked to complete a makeup assignment, such as a short paper, to receive credit for the class. Please let me know in the first week of the course if you have planned an extended absence.

Please see earlier (in bold) for further information on make-up assignments.

Extensions

Out of fairness for all students in the course, deadlines are firm. Extensions will not be granted except in the case of serious illness, family emergency, or religious observance.

Academic Conduct

Plagiarism – presenting someone else’s ideas as your own, either verbatim or recast in your own words – is a serious academic offense with serious consequences. Please familiarize yourself with the discussion of plagiarism in SCampus in Section 11, Behavior Violating University Standards sanctions. Other forms of academic dishonesty are equally unacceptable. See additional information in SCampus and university policies on scientific misconduct,

Discrimination, sexual assault, and harassment are not tolerated by the university. You are encouraged to report any incidents to the Office of Equity and Diversity or to the Department of Public Safety This is important for the safety of the whole USC community. Another member of the university community – such as a friend, classmate, advisor, or faculty member – can help initiate the report, or can initiate the report on behalf of another person. The Center for Women and Men provides 24/7 confidential support, and the sexual assault resource center webpage describes reporting options and other resources.

Support Systems

A number of USC’s schools provide support for students who need help with scholarly writing. Check with your advisor or program staff to find out more. Students whose primary language is not English should check with the American Language Institute which sponsors courses and workshops specifically for international graduate students. The Office of Disability Services and Programs provides certification for students with disabilities and helps arrange the relevant accommodations. If an officially declared emergency makes travel to campus infeasible, USC Emergency Information will provide safety and other updates, including ways in which instruction will be continued by means of blackboard, teleconferencing, and other technology.

Course Schedule

Week 1

Tuesday, January 12: Introduction to Introduction to International Security

No readings.

Thursday, January 14: How to Solve a Puzzle

Please see instructions on the course website. This is not graded!

Week 2

Tuesday, January 19

NO CLASS

Thursday, January 21: Are Humans Naturally Prone to Aggression?

Rose McDermott, Dominic Johnson, Jonathan Cowden, and Stephen Rosen. 2007. Testosterone and Aggression in a Simulated Crisis Game. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 614(1): 15-33.

Joshua Goldstein. 2001. War and Gender. Cambridge University Press, Chapter

5.

Week 3

Tuesday, January 26: The Role of Leaders

Daniel Byman and Kenneth Pollack. 2001. Let Us Now Praise Great Men: Bringing the Statesman Back In. International Security 25(4): 107-146.

Andrew Parasiliti, Daniel Byman and Kenneth Pollack. 2001. The First Image Revisited [Correspondence]. International Security 26(2): 166-169.

Thursday, January 28: Rationalist Explanations for War

James D. Fearon. 1995. Rationalist Explanations for War. International Organization 49(3): 379-414.

Week 4

Tuesday, February 2: Case Study—Iraq War

David A. Lake. 2011. Two Cheers for Bargaining Theory: Assessing Rationalist

Explanations of the Iraq War. International Security 35(3): 7-52.

Michael K. McKoy and David A. Lake. 2011. Correspondence: Bargaining

Theory and Rationalist Explanations for the Iraq War. International Security 36(3): 172-178.

Thursday, February 4: Perception, Misperception, and War

Robert Jervis. 1976. Perception and Misperception in International Politics. Read

Chapter 3: 58-82.

Robert Jervis. 2013. Getting to Yes With Iran. Foreign Affairs.

Daniel Kahneman and Jonathan Renshon. 2007. Why Hawks Win. Foreign

Policy, No. 158.

Week 5

Tuesday, February 9: Structural Causes of War (and Cooperation?)

Kenneth Waltz. 1959. Man, The State, and War. Columbia University Press. Read Chapter 1.

Kenneth Waltz. 2012. Why Iran Should Get the Bomb. Foreign Affairs 91(4).

Robert Axelrod. 1984. The Evolution of Cooperation. Chapter 1 and 2. [Skim the

math!]

Thursday, February 11: Case Study—WW1 and the Offense-Defense Balance

Stephen Van Evera. 1998. Offense, Defense and the Causes of War. International Security 22(4): 5-25.

Keir A. Lieber. 2007. The New History of WW1 and What It Means for

International Relations Theory.International Security 32(2): 155-191.

Stephen Van Evera. 1984. The Cult of the Offensive and the Origins of the First

World War. International Security 9(1): 58-107 [SKIM]

Week 6

Tuesday, February 16: Collective Security and Diplomacy

Kinne, Brandon. 2014. Dependent Diplomacy: Signaling, Strategy, and Prestige in the Diplomatic Network. International Studies Quarterly 58(2): 247-259.

Walt, Stephen. 2009. Alliances in a Unipolar World. World Politics 61(1): 86-120.

Thursday, February 18: Are Democracies Less War Prone?

John M. Owen. 1994. How Liberalism Produces Democratic Peace. International Security 19(2): 87-125.

Sebastian Rosato. 2003. The Flawed Logic of Democratic Peace Theory. American Political Science Review 97(4): 585-602.

Michael R. Tomz and Jessica L.P. Weeks. 2013. Public Opinion and the Democratic Peace. American Political Science Review 107(4): 849-865.

Week 7

Tuesday, February 23: Diversion, Revolution, and War

Jeffrey Pickering and Emizet Kisangani. 2005. Democracy and Diversionary

Military Intervention. International Studies Quarterly 49(1): 23-43.

Jeff D. Colgan. 2013. Domestic Revolutionary Leaders and International Conflict.

World Politics 65(4): 656-690.

Thursday, February 25: The Duration and Ending of Wars

Michael C. Horowitz. 2009. Long Time Going: Religion and the Duration of

Crusading. International Security 34(2): 162-193.

Sarah E. Croco. 2011. The Decider’s Dilemma: Leader Culpability, War

Outcomes, and Domestic Punishment. American Political Science Review 105(3):

457-477.

Week 8

Tuesday, March 1: Workshop

Please come to class with a 1-page description of your topic. More information

will be given.

Thursday, March 3: The Causes of Civil War

Paul Collier and Anke Hoeffler. 2004. Greed and Grievance in Civil War. Oxford

Economic Papers 56(4): 563-595 [SKIM].

James D. Fearon and David D. Laitin. 2003. Ethnicity, Insurgency, and Civil War.

American Political Science Review 97(1): 75-90.

Marta Reynal-Querol. 2002. Ethnicity, Political Systems, and Civil Wars. Journal

of Conflict Resolution 46(1): 29-54.

Week 9

Tuesday, March 8: Midterm Review

Thursday, March 10: Midterm

Please bring a blue book to class.

Week 10

Tuesday, March 22: Case Studies—Bosnia and Syria

Douglas Johnston and Jonathan Eastvold, “Religion in the Bosnian Conflict.”

International Center for Religion and Diplomacy, 2004.

Daniel Burke, “Syria Explained: How It Became a Religious War.” 2013.

Thursday, March 24: International Law and Security (Intervention and

Peacekeeping)

Edward Luttwak, “Give War a Chance.”

Roland Paris, “Peacekeeping Works Better Than You May Think.”

[WATCH THE PINKER VIDEO ON THE WEBSITE]

Week 11

Tuesday, March 29: New Wars (Extrastate)

Mary Kaldor. 2013. In Defense of New Wars. Stability 2(2): 1-16.

Samuel P. Huntington. 1993. The Clash of Civilizations. Foreign Affairs 72(3).

Thursday, March 31: Terrorism

Global Governance Monitor. “Terrorism.” Read through Timeline, Scope of the

Challenge, and Strengths and Weaknesses.

Max Abrahms. 2006. Why Terrorism Does Not Work. International Security 31(2): 42-78.

Week 12

Tuesday, April 5: Cyberwarfare

Damian Paletta, Danny Yadron, and Jennifer Valentino-Devries. 2015. Cyberwar

Ignites a New Arms Race. The Wall Street Journal.

James A. Lewis. 2010. Thresholds for Cyberwar. Center for Strategic and

International Studies.

Thursday, April 7

PRESENTATIONS

Week 13

Tuesday, April 12

PRESENTATIONS

Thursday, April 14

PRESENTATIONS

Week 14

Tuesday, April 19

PRESENTATIONS

Thursday, April 21: Workshop

Details TBA.

Week 15

Tuesday, April 26: Climate Change and War

Marshall Burke, Edward Miguel, Shanker Satyanath, John Dykemae, and David

Lobell. 2009. Warming Increases the Risk of Civil War in Africa. Proceedings of

the National Academy of Sciences 106(49): 20670-20674.

Halvard Buhaug. 2011. Climate Not to Blame for African Civil Wars.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences107(38): 16477-16482.

Bruno Tertrais. 2011. The Climate Wars Myth. The Washington Quarterly 34(3):

17-29.

Thursday, April 28: Conclusions

No readings.

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